Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Thought I'd delve into the painting archive for tonight's post, as the BAM Para project has slowed a bit over the last few days.

First up, Chieftain Models Chieftain Mk.V from when I owned Chieftain models, incorrectly painted in Berlin Brigade camo (incorrect because only the Mk.X sported this rather spiffing scheme).

The idea behind the scheme was twofold - firstly to break up the outline of the tank in an urban environment (not a good place for any tank, especially when painted black and green), and secondly - and perhaps more interestingly - to confuse the East Germans watching them.

There were only 18 Chieftains in the Berlin Bde, and all of them were painted absolutely identically. Idea being that if they drove round in circles enough, those watching would think we had 'undreds of the things.

Talking to someone I know who saw these things out in the field at Soltau (I think), it was a pretty effective camo at range even in a green environment; similar to a Magic Eye picture, the human brain simply refusing to reconcile the collection of shapes into a coherent form.

The model above was airbrushed with Life Colour paints, and an awful lot of masking tape. No need to weather it, as the army kept them immaculate (keeping up appearances for the West Berliners.)

Saturday, 17 March 2012

I only really use one gaming forum - Frothers Unite - they're my sort of people; Rude, irreverent, brutally honest, and right laugh most of the time. One of them was selling Mouse Guard RPG the other day, so being a lover of anything anthropomorphic, I snapped it up without a moment's hesitation.

So what's it like? Well, in the opinion of a miserable old Red Box & 4e D&D player, it's intriguing. Based on motivation and character traits rather than the more usual Str/Con/Etc, it seems to need a good GM, and a gaming group willing to try something not from WotC (which unfortunately I don't have).

Nonetheless, I think it'll be a fun way to introduce the progeny to RPGing when she's a bit older, and I became immersed in David Petersen's world enough to brave the comic shop in Brighton this morning to pick up one of the graphic novels; Legends of the Guard (which is very good by the way).

Thus, Mouse Guard joins a very rare company on my book shelf - literally, only Thrud and Commando are it's companions. I do think I'll pick up the first three graphic novels - which are the collected six comics of the first three seasons, and add the current fourth season to my subscription list. I could get them for free off the 'net, but that's not really the point with comics.

Other news - Odo threatens another journey South with - horror! - new rules. Also, I may not be unemployed for much longer; third and final interview on Monday with a large telco.

Him what writes stuff

A mildly mature product of the clay hills and sporadic woods of Sussex. Successfully bred. Perennially skint.
IT Salesman by trade, comes pre-installed with vast and random knowledge of World War 2, British history, British Political history, almost every warplane ever made, and a vague interest in mechanical devices, especially firearms and engines.
Secret shame includes historical wargaming, painting wargames miniatures, generally looking stupid during pub quizzes, and shirking responsibility.
Heroes and influences include Jack Hargreaves, Winston Churchill, Percy Hobart, Spike Milligan, Bill Bailey, Enoch Powell, and the greatest man of all time - the late Bob Hamilton.